Sermon Tone Analysis

PROPHECY

OT READING

PRAYER

God of light, place a candle in our hearts, so we may walk as children of the Light, treading gently on the paths of peace and ever ready to welcome the signs of new life.

Amen.

PSALM READING

PRAYER

Dear God, we joyously anticipate Christmas day, a reminder of the birth of our Savior.

As we come to this place of worship, we know that we are in your presence.

Give us your peace that through us all may know the peace that Christ brings.

In his name we pray.

Amen.

NT READING

PRAYER

Dear God, as we celebrate the first coming of Jesus and anticipate his second coming, help us to be awake and ready to do battle.

We battle against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil.

Clothe us with Jesus Christ that we may walk in his light, which is able to banish darkness.

In the Savior's name we pray.

Amen.

PREPARATION

OT READING

PRAYER

Come, Holy God, come and save us.

Come, Holy Christ, come and touch us.

Come, Holy Spirit, come and revive us.

Come and turn us around, and point us to your kingdom.

Amen.

PSALM READING

PRAYER

Dear God, as the kings and rulers of our world are enthroned, we have witnessed the elaborate preparations made for those events.

By the power of your Spirit, move us to make the preparations needed to welcome you, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Soften our hearts, break down our resistance.

Open us anew to your life and love that we may be transformed and may be agents of transformation in the lives of others.

For Jesus' sake.

Amen.

NT READING

PRAYER

Dear God, in this very busy season with so many things to do, help us to hear anew your voice calling us to prepare the way for our Lord and Savior Jesus.

Call us to repentance.

Live in us by your Spirit that our lives will produce good fruit to the praise and honor of your name.

Amen.

JOY

OT READING

PRAYER

Holy God, create in us a fountain of joy, stir in us a spirit ready to dance, kindle in us the fire of gladness, set loose in us songs of praise.

For you are the One who comes with healing and blessing.

Amen

PSALM READING

PRAYER

Dear God, with joy we acknowledge your care and love for us.

With joy we acknowledge that our help is in you, the Maker of heaven and earth, our Maker and our re-Maker through the life and death of the One born in Bethlehem.

Through faith in him, grant us solid joy that lasts long beyond this Christmas season and that equips us to face the adversities of life.

Amen.

NT READING

PRAYER

Dear God, with joy and praise we acknowledge the signs that your kingdom has come in Jesus Christ.

We rejoice in the forgiveness of sin.

We rejoice that you have made us new creatures in Christ.

With joy we commit ourselves to the proclamation of the good news of great joy.

In the Savior's name we pray.

Amen.

FULFILLMENT

OT READING

PRAYER

God of angels and sheep, God of the poor and meek, in these days before Christmas, quiet us so we may hear where new life is struggling to be born, slow our rush so we may hear the faint sound of angel wings and the words whispered in hope.

Open our hearts to the wonder of Immanuel: God with us.

Amen.

PSALM READING

PRAYER

Dear strong and mighty God, by the power of the Spirit who created the earth and everything in it, create in us pure hearts and renew within us steadfast spirits that the hope fulfilled in Bethlehem may more and more permeate our lives until we share fully in your glory.

In the name of the King who comes and comes again we pray.

Amen.

NT READING

PRAYER

Dear God, in the fullness of time you sent the One promised through the prophets who looked forward in hope.

You have given us a living hope by raising him from the dead.

Enliven our hope as we live in the expectation of your coming and your coming again.

Amen.

REDEEMER

OT READING

PRAYER

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, we rejoice that you, so wonderful, so mighty, so everlasting, and so princely, entered time in the weakness of human flesh in a lowly stable in Bethlehem as the son of a peasant couple.

O Child of Bethlehem, your birth gives us great joy.

Make our joy complete so that we, like you, spend our lives looking to the interests of others.

By the power of your Spirit, instill in us your attitude of humble service.

In your name we pray.

Amen.

PSALM READING

PRAYER

Dear God, in the birth of Jesus you have shown your majesty and splendor and have put a new song in our hearts and lives.

O Christ of God, be born in us today that through us your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

In your mighty name we pray.

Amen.

NT READING

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, tonight we celebrate your lowly coming as a baby in Bethlehem even as we wait for your glorious appearing on the clouds of heaven.

We give thanks for your redeeming work, which assures us of victory, for the power of your Spirit that enables us to say "no" to sin and "yes" to righteousness, and for your love, which forgives us when we fail.

Help us to live today and always as your sons and daughters.

Amen.